Why? What? How?

A.He challengedthe authority of

Jewish-religious

leaders

E.g. “worked” on

Sabbath

E.g. taught Law “with authority”

E.g. forgave sins(only God

can)

E.g. disregardedpurity laws

E.g. freelyassociated with sinners

E.g. taught that

materialwealth does not

meanbeing “right” with

God;being rich but

ignoringpoor = sin

B.He came toJerusalem –much too direct

of a challengeto Templeauthorities

E.g. welcomed as a king

E.g. threw out moneychangers in Temple(religious

epicenter)– angered byintertwining ofcommerce/profitwith faith

A. (for which he was arrested)

Blasphemy=irreverent speech about God=claiming powers only God has=any thought, word, or act that expresses hatred or contempt for God

Traditional punishment: death by stoning

B. (for which he was crucified)

Blasphemy – not a capital crime in Roman Empire

Sedition/Treason=claiming to be king in competition to Caesar

Traditional punishment: death by crucifixion

No!-Jesus had to be born

to people in covenant-To fulfill God’s plan,

He had to die this way

-There were Jews in the trial who stood up for him: Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea…

= exceptionally brutal Roman execution= meant to be as horrific as possible to

frighten people into obedience= reserved for the worst offenders of the

lowest class= reserved for foreigners; not Roman

citizens

= whipping with whip that has pieces of bone & metal embedded in the leather

= meant to tear skin off back

= element of mocking(in Jesus’ case – crown

of thorns, purple robe…)

= carrying cross (300 lbs) /

crossbeam (75-125 lbs) on

which one will be crucified

on a bloody back ¼ mile

(from Preston’s frontdoor to East Tremont,uphill)

= meant to completely

humiliate= meant to tear

whipped/torn skin

= wrists nailed to crossbeam, that is then lifted into place

= arms/feet tied to cross to keep body from tearing free from nails

= to relieve pain in chest – push/pull on stakes through feet

= could last for daysbefore death from:

- blood loss- sepsis - infection- dehydration- exposure- inability to breath

(asphixiation – due to hyper-explansion of chest

muscles & lungs)

Foot rest – meant to prolong the suffering, offered opportunity to shift position & breath

Small seat (w/ upright spike) – also meant to allow shifting as well as additional pain

Gospels take greatcare to show humanemotions

- doubt- fear- pain- betrayal

100% human – NOT sheltered from human experience

Jesus showed us that it is not wrong to want to avoid pain & death.

But His commitment to following God’s will was stronger than His fear.

Jesus willing accepted

1.Ultimate pain(refused wine/myrrh)

1.Humiliation(physical & indignity of being between 2 thieves)